Chillin' in the NICU sporting some sunglasses

Today seemed to fly by. First thing this morning, we were at the agency signing our  name and initials 500 times. Not sure how many, but it was a ton! It was wonderful to meet many people at the agency that we have worked with over the phone and email but never met. They were so nice and happy for us. Then we headed to Salt Lake to the courthouse to appear before a judge so we don't have to come back in 6 months for finalization. It seemed so official and I felt so thankful we were at this point. It's all such a miracle to me.

I was so anxious to get over to the hospital. We made it just in time for the feeding and I was able to nurse both girls. They love it and I love it.

Audrey was off her IV which was wonderful to see! They were both on a bilirubin light but the doctor said it wasn't a big deal - but they just thought they would give them the extra light since it was so available at the hospital. It's nothing that would keep them in the hospital. They were just a bit jaundiced but not bad. At this point, their only hurdle to jump before going home is to gain some weight. They've both lost a bit, which is normal, but they need to show some signs of gaining weight. They are still doing well with their feedings so hopefully they will gain soon and not have to get an NG tube to help them along. They are still so tiny and young. It may just take them a little time to grow up and get stronger and more alert to eat more.

The girls are just dying to hold their baby sisters. We are crossing out fingers it will happen tomorrow morning with our day nurse who is anxious to help Ash and Sadie hold them. We will see.

We didn't get as many pictures of the babies today. One reason is because I was on my own with the babies some of the time while Dave was in Orem picking up the kids from Brittany and Sam's house and also stopping in to visit Grandma. No way did I have a chance to take a picture when I was doing everything solo!! At one point when they were both fed and back in their little cribs, I looked at Anna's cute little position while sleeping. I grabbed my phone for a photo. Then I looked at Audrey and she was in the exact position. Adorable.

Some have asked how alike they look. We think we can tell them apart, until Dave gives me a quiz. He tested me on his phone as he put just their face (no bows or IV or anything that helped us tell them apart) and I have to admit I didn't get all of the pictures right. So they look a lot alike but not identical.

The other night I was talking on my sleep and Dave heard me say "I just have to go be with my babies." You can tell what's on my mind...even in my sleep.

Best Valentine's Day ever. Lots and lots and lots of love in that room. One wonderful thing is that the babies get their own NICU room. In fact, all of the babies in the NICU either have their own room or just have one roommate. It makes for some nice privacy.

 Here they are with the lights to help with their bilirubin levels. Notice their same position with their arms.

This gives some perspective as to their size. Their head height is just a little bigger than Dave's thumb

Another wonderful day

The days are already beginning to blur together and when I look back on the day I can hardly remember which things happened today vs. yesterday. They are all such wonderful memories already.

This morning we signed some paperwork that gave us temporary custody of the babies. The agency technically has custody until we sign about 50 documents (which we are doing tomorrow morning). The papers we signed this morning gave us the rights to care for and make decisions for the babies. Tomorrow it will be 100% us!

After signing, we headed straight to the hospital. We were so delighted and surprised to see Audrey without her oxygen. She's been doing so well all day without oxygen. The other great surprise was to see Anna without her IV. They have an IV at the beginning to assist with nutrients until they are able to drink all of their meals. Anna has been eating so well and is doing great without the IV. The goal for Audrey is to get the IV out tonight and I bet she will. She ate so well today. Yay for great improvements today!

The big question is when they will get to come home. The nurses really don't give us a good idea and I'm not sure why. I do know that they like to see them eating well for a few days. We sure try and ask and get an idea but we get pretty vague answers. They are doing so well and continue to do well so I guess early next week but we really don't know. Once they are released from the hospital, we have to wait for ICPC clearance which will allow us to take them to CO. This process is between 5-10 days so we really have no clue when we'll be back in CO!

There were three big highlights for me today (even though pretty much every minute is a highlight).

1. We got to take Anna and Audrey to the door of the NICU to show both girls to Ash, Sadie and Nate. They loved seeing them together. I loved getting a picture of all 7 of us.

2. I got to nurse Anna and Audrey and they both ate like champs. It was so miraculous to watch them latch on like they were already pros. Even the nurses were surprised with how well they did. Anna seems to especially love to eat and nurse. If I would try an pull away to wake her up a little, she would hold on for dear life. So cute. And if you're wondering how I'm nursing...I've been pumping and doing some things for about a month to prepare for this. It's amazing to see it work.

3. Tonight we spent a while with the girls right next to each in my arms. It is so precious to watch them snuggle in and fit like a puzzle. Earlier today Audrey was crossing her leg over across Anna's. Their heads snuggle in and love to be close. I love watching it. Holding them together felt so right and just heavenly.

What a wonderful day! We love these little girls so much already.

Anna is on the left and Audrey on the right

This is the first time the kids saw the twins together. They are really anxious to actually hold them.

Again, Anna on the left and Audrey on the right.

Precious little girls

We spent the afternoon with Anna and Audrey. It was so wonderful. Anna is doing so well. I got to feed her a bottle and she did a great job eating. I changed Anna's diaper and Dave changed Audrey's diaper. We just can't get over how tiny they are. The tiniest little bums and legs and everything! Anna just has to prove that she can keep eating and doing well with it. No concerns with her. They tried taking Audrey off the small amount of oxygen she was on but she didn't breathe as well with it off so they put it back on. The respiratory tech said that they could try again in a few hours but they'd rather wait and give her a good day on the oxygen and they will try again tomorrow. Other than that, she is doing really well. She loves kicking her legs and puts them in all sorts of funny positions all the time. Maybe a soccer player? Even the nurse will try and wrap her all cozy and she somehow gets her legs out. Dave and I took turns holding Anna and being next to Audrey to hold her hand, feet, give kisses and sing. It's heavenly to be so close to these little angels. Anna was alert for some of the time and it was so fun to look at her and watch her try and focus on me.

Tomorrow morning we will sign papers at the agency. We just got word one minute ago that the birth mom and dad signed relinquishment and the document is irrevocable. Soooo exciting! We are staying at Dave's wonderful aunt and uncle's house tonight and then we will sleep at the hospital tomorrow night until they come home. I couldn't start nursing them until it was official so that will start tomorrow morning.

Can't wait to get back in the morning.

We are in heaven

Soooo wonderful to see the babies. Anna is the smaller one and she is doing so well. We held her for so long and she is just precious. So tiny and so sweet. Audrey is on a very small amount of oxygen and they are weaning her off. They are going to take her completely off in an hour and see how she does. I held her hand for so long and she held tight.! So precious. We let the kids come to the window of the nicu and see Anna. I couldn't stop smiling. We all can't stop smiling. Trying to get pictures on here but it's not working at the moment.

Anna and Audrey Arrived!

What an exciting day it was yesterday! We got a call at 2:35 that the mom was in labor! We were out the door at 3:45! Dave flew home from work, the kids were amazing packers (Sadie loaded the entire car with all of our stuff) and off we went! Anna was born at 7:45 and weighs 4 lbs 9 oz. she's 15.25 inches long. Audrey is 4 lbs 14 oz and is 17 inches. Because we were going to drive in so late, we had to wait til this am to see them. We will see them at 9 this morning. We tried to get some sleep but at 5 am Dave and I were both wide awake and way too excited to see our babies! I'm posting from bed to pass the time! I will try and post pictures at some point. They are in the nicu but we heard they are both doing great.

And they're still cookin'

Birth mom had her weekly appointment yesterday. We get such limited info. The only two bits of info we got: the non-stress test went really well and babies are doing great and her amniotic fluid is measuring just right. All is well.

So fabulous the babies are getting to grow in the womb instead of the NICU! I know there are so many more things discussed at the appointment that I would love to know…like is she having any contractions? Dilated at all? Any signs of labor? Even though I know with my own pregnancies…you can have signs and then it can still be two weeks before labor comes. Or you can have zero signs and just go into labor one day. But still, we are so curious!!

Babies are still cookin'

The birth mom had her weekly appointment on Tuesday, as well as a non stress test. The babies did great on the non stress test and everything went well at the appointment. Baby B is back in the right position. So we just keep waiting! 

Even though we are so excited to meet these little girls, we would so much rather them stay in as long as possible so they don't need NICU time from coming too early.

Last weekend my good friends here threw me a baby shower. It was such a fun time. It's been a while since I've had a shower! 

The most special gift came from a very good friend. She has also adopted, so she understands a lot of what we have been through! She gave us the most darling wooden rocking horse that has some very special meaning in her family. Attached to the gift she included a quote that I just love.

Not flesh of my flesh 

nor bone of my bone 

but still,

miraculously, my own.

Never forget for a single minute

you didn't grow 

under my heart,

but in it. 

Makes me cry every time I read it.